Umesh Loona, Apex Properties Founder
He champions patience and perseverance
‘Gaborone is a bustling market ripe for growth’
Advises newcomers to the game to seek out unstructured markets
‘Entrepreneur's first step is finding their niche’
“Don’t wait to buy property. Buy property and wait.” This simple yet powerful statement by Umesh Loona captures a key truth in real estate.
Loona runs several companies now, but the one he’s known for is Apex Properties, which specialises in selling, renting, and valuing properties.
He truly embodies his mantra, walking the talk as he skillfully navigates the corridors of the real estate market.
Put differently, when one understands property and property investment, they realise that they only make money by taking action. Loona believes that once one invests, that’s when their capital can start to grow. But how does it grow? You have to be a player in the game, he said.
During an Impact Entrepreneurship Session titled “From Plots to Profits: Mastering Multi-Residential Real Estate,” Loona offered invaluable insights. Hosted by De Beers Group, the Stanford Seed Network, and Stanbic Bank Accelerate, the event provided a platform for sharing knowledge and fostering connections in the real estate sector.
Loona was born in India and arrived in Botswana in 1999, stepping into a new world with very little knowledge about property, business, or life itself—just like many young dreamers. As a kid, he couldn’t stand school, fueled by the old belief that to become a billionaire, one had to be a school dropout.
However, his journey in real estate opened his eyes to a different truth because it’s a long game. He learned that building wealth isn’t about striking it rich overnight; it requires patience and perseverance.
As he wisely put it, in real estate “If you want to be a billionaire, it takes around 60 years.”
This realisation helped him see that slow and steady wins the race, proving that dedication and a willingness to learn can pave the way to success, no matter where you start.
During his years of hustle, Loona stumbled upon network marketing opportunities that helped him find his footing on the path to success. They urged him to read books and watch motivational movies to empower himself. Reflecting on his journey, he credits two books with shaping who he is today: Rich Dad Poor Dad and The Law of Attraction.
This culture of self-improvement truly turned his life around. Now, with a master’s degree in real estate under his belt, he understands that formal education has its place. While self-empowerment is vital, he realises that having the right knowledge and skills can be the key to unlocking success in the real estate game.
As the saying goes, “You can’t build a strong house without a solid foundation.”
Loona now embraces a mindset of continuous learning to stay ahead of industry developments. He completed the Stanford Seed Transformation Programme Certificate in Entrepreneurship, joining a network of alumni whose businesses are all about growth and innovation.
He sees education as essentially the same across the board; no matter what course one is studying, they are likely tackling the same materials as someone at another university. The real differentiator, he believes, is “your culture and how you view certain opportunities.” In other words, it’s not just about the knowledge one gains, but the lens through which one sees the world that makes all the difference. After all, it’s not what one learns, but how one applies it that counts.
Loona saw urban migration as a golden opportunity when he dove into real estate. He advised newcomers to the game to seek out unstructured markets—like Gaborone North—rather than well-trodden areas like Phakalane, where land ownership is clearer. Even though research shows that the property market has slowed this year, Loona remains confident that Gaborone is a bustling market ripe for growth. He firmly believes that where there’s uncertainty, there’s opportunity and those willing to take a calculated risk can reap the rewards.
For him, any entrepreneur's first step is finding their niche; it’s crucial to keep an eye on which asset markets are in demand. He also emphasised that as an entrepreneur, adopting a mindset of service is crucial for success. It’s about putting others first and meeting their needs that truly pave the way for achievement.
Believing in yourself is crucial, as is boosting one's self-worth, he said adding that this can come from building wealth, deepening one's knowledge of the industry, and grasping the financial markets relevant to their field. For those eager to jump into real estate, he stresses the importance of understanding the financials before taking the plunge.
He believes banks are one of the best sources for entrepreneurs looking to secure loans, as they often have "your best interests at heart".
Importantly, Loona buttressed the importance of having different businesses that feed into each other, urging that as an entrepreneur, one has to learn to take calculated risks; if you make a mistake, don’t be afraid to make an even bigger move. He advised investors to ensure they have some capital before diving into real estate, as they'll be spending money left and right.
“Learning property goes hand in hand with learning money.”
Loona noted that the game requires a long-term plan and steady discipline to thrive. The sooner one starts, the stronger their roots will grow. As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Real estate success doesn’t happen overnight; it requires time and commitment.
Loona shared that one of his primary motivations for wanting to succeed is his desire to ensure that future generations don’t face the struggles he experienced. He wants to break the cycle of starting from scratch, turning his setbacks into stepping stones for those who come after him. This drive fuels his ambition and commitment to make a lasting impact.
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